starlady, based on the location listed on your profile, I'll assume you're referring to the trips planned by The Contingent for the Chicago and Milwaukee areas. The answer to your question is, "Yes, all are welcome to any of our Eat & Greets". We do ask that you respond with your interest in participating within the thread where the trip is being planned so we can get a clear count on the number of people involved. Some folks drive their own cars, some carpool. It all depends on the trip, how many people are going, where we're going, etc. On our very first ever tour, a "research project" going to a half dozen of Chicago's best Italian beef stands, we even rented a large van that seated 15 people. Everyone paid a small fee to help pay for the rental.

As of right now, the only thing in the pot for The Contingent is a late spring/early summer tour of outdoor Chicago eating establishments, or as we like to refer to them, "dining ala trunk (of your car, that is)". No definite dates yet, although I'm thinking sometime in the first two weekends after Memorial Day weekend. I'll start a new thread announcing that trip as we get closer to the dates. I know nocarolina is also planning a northwest Indiana tour to be held sometime this summer or early fall. Nothing planned for Milwaukee yet, but I'm sure our cheesehead friends will throw out some ideas soon.

There are other regional tours organized by other Roadfood groups around the country, The Glee Club being one such group. While I cannot speak for them officially, I'm quite certain they would welcome any new members who are interested in joining the fun.

Finally, there are some tours arranged by the Roadfood.com management. The upcoming New Orleans trip being a prime example. Some of these "official" tours require a ticket and reservation as they have limited availability. Official Roadfood.com tours will be clearly delineated from the more casual regional tours.

My only suggestion to you Starlady is that you PM your cell phone number to one of the organizers of the event. That way if something changes and you didn't have time to check the message board, someone can call & let you know.

Welcome to The Contingent. How come no one has told her about the initiation? hahaha

starlady, based on the location listed on your profile, I'll assume you're referring to the trips planned by The Contingent for the Chicago and Milwaukee areas. The answer to your question is, "Yes, all are welcome to any of our Eat & Greets". We do ask that you respond with your interest in participating within the thread where the trip is being planned so we can get a clear count on the number of people involved. Some folks drive their own cars, some carpool. It all depends on the trip, how many people are going, where we're going, etc. On our very first ever tour, a "research project" going to a half dozen of Chicago's best Italian beef stands, we even rented a large van that seated 15 people. Everyone paid a small fee to help pay for the rental.

Holy Moly Buddy!!! I had completely forgotten about driving that van...ahh...good times!!!

We've got this thread and we've got that thread. Neither of which is Buddy's thread for his June eating tour of Chicago. But that thread did lead to a CONTINGENT Eat & Greet last weekend for Greek food.

So I will hijack this thread and suggest a late April Eat & Greet for THE CONTINGENT somewhere other than Chicago. Which leads me to Brad_Olson's righteous dining experience at Doug's Soul Food in Madison. I think Madison would be a great change of pace for us and I can think of dozens of place to eat. The Farmers Market may be running by then, too.

As always, Sundays are best for us, but the group should do what's best for the group. We are available any Sunday as early as this Sunday, February 6th. If we do a trip to Mad City, just a humble suggestion that we start in Monroe at Baumgartner's for Limburger sandwiches, then work our way north. Or is that too much?

I just got home and checked my Madison folder and found a couple of menus ( I keep records of every place we visit when traveling for Roadhouse and save as many menus as I remember to grab) for places that might be worth checking out.

First up is Vientienne Palace, describing itself as a "Lao-Thai Valley Restaurant". Dad and I have eaten at Vientienne a couple of times and had excellent food both times. Plus, this place is just shabby and run down enough that, if they served Barbecue, it would be an instant Roadfood classic. Huge portions, almost dirt cheap prices and wonderful flavors make Vientienne Palace a worthwhile stop

From another corner of Asia is Chautara, a slightly upscale Nepalese restaurant. This was the first place that Dad and I had ever tried goat. Very tasty, a bit like lamb, but slightly gamier. Nepalese food is influenced by Indian cuisine, although there is no prohibition on beef here. Lots of wonderful finger food apps served with a smorgasbord of dipping sauces.

What's interesting about Chautara is that it is owned by the children of an older couple who own another Nepalese restaurant, Himal Chuli, just a few doors away. The parents' restaurant is a real Roadfood find. Looking in the front window you'd think you were looking at the all-American malt shop. 1940's style fixtures with a handful of low slung booths, a soda fountain area with classic counter stools; even neon signs in the front window, although, instead of showcasing triple thick shakes, they glow for momos and samosas. Himal Chuli is a true vegetarian joint, unlike Chautara which is aiming for a more middle of the road patronage. We haven't eaten at Himal Chuli but would love to give it a try.

There is Dotty Dumpling's Dowry, one of Mad City's best known burger joints. I have to admit that we haven't been there since they relocated, so have no idea if the burgers are still any good or if the atmosphere is the same.

Finally, for dessert, there is The Daily Scoop located in the UW/Mad Student Union (a building well worth visiting even without the promise of ice cream). Ice cream served at The Scoop comes from the UW agricultural program and is hand crafted on campus. Yup, this is university ice cream made with milk from educated cows!

Just my suggestions. I'm sure there are others who are more familiar with the city who can build on this.

Don't know if I'll be able to make this one. I'm hitting the road tomorrow AM on a two-week southern roadtrip ( another book-length trip report... run for your lives! ) , plus I'll be out of town during the first weekend in May.

So I will hijack this thread and suggest a late April Eat & Greet for THE CONTINGENT somewhere other than Chicago. Which leads me to Brad_Olson's righteous dining experience at Doug's Soul Food in Madison. I think Madison would be a great change of pace for us and I can think of dozens of place to eat. The Farmers Market may be running by then, too.

The DCFM website currently implies that April 17 will be the first day for the outdoor market. It's also prom night at Stoughton High School so the Olson household could possibly be in maximum crisis mode.

The weekend of April 17th is out- my birthday on the 17th and bridal shower on the 18th (which means the Roadhouses are out for that weekend too, whether they know it or not) April 10th is no good, but the 11th might be okay.

I think the 24th or 25th should be okay, but that could change quickly. May 1st or 2nd is good. May 8th is good, but the 9th is Mother's Day (I know *my mom* would be okay with doing this, buy Mr. Maki's mom might object to us not being there)

Buddy - Dottie Dumpling's offers the same burgers as at their previous 2 locations. I think their burgers are in the same league as Fred's. Right next door is Ian's Pizza. Worth a walk-thru to check out the daily by-the-slice offerings - Mac & Cheese, Steak & Frites, Breakfast Pizza, etc.

I don't know how Baumgartner's would fit in for lunch. It may work better as a last stop, as I'd like to keep the Farmer's Market open for those who want to go there before we get rolling.

I threatened Bobbi with this place. I don't think I have ever eaten there, but my parents ate there every day after my dad retired. Might be worth a scouting trip by one of the Brad_ Olson clones. Definitely RoadFood.